Chapter 19: The Wedding Trap

The warehouse echoed with the sound of gunfire long after the mysterious old man disappeared. Eric immediately pulled Stella behind a concrete pillar while Mason directed the security team through his earpiece.

'Team Alpha, cover the east exit!'

'Team Bravo, secure the roof!'

'Nobody leaves this warehouse!'

Within minutes, the shooting stopped.

When the security officers finished searching every room, they returned with disappointed expressions.

'Mr. Chilton,' one of them reported.

'The attackers escaped through an underground tunnel connected to the river.'

'They planned this route in advance.'

Eric wasn't surprised.

'Leave the tunnel.'

'We'll have forensic teams examine everything tomorrow.'

As everyone exited the warehouse, Stella looked back one last time.

The words spoken by the old man continued echoing in her mind.

'We'll meet again… at your wedding.'

It wasn't merely a threat.

It was a promise.

The following morning, the Chilton Estate resembled a military headquarters.

Security specialists, police investigators, and private intelligence officers moved constantly throughout the mansion.

Every entrance, hallway, and surveillance system was being upgraded.

Mason placed a thick security proposal onto Eric's desk.

'We've tripled the number of guards.'

'Every guest will pass facial recognition.'

'No unidentified vehicle will be allowed within one mile of the ceremony.'

Eric quietly reviewed every page.

'Good.'

'But it still won't be enough.'

Mason frowned.

'You think they'll attack anyway?'

'They've already announced their intentions.'

'People who enjoy psychological games rarely make empty threats.'

Just then, Stella entered the study carrying two cups of coffee.

'Still working?' she asked.

Eric accepted the cup with a faint smile.

'Unfortunately.'

'Then take a short break,' Stella replied.

'Even generals need sleep before a battle.'

Eric laughed softly.

'You're comparing our wedding to a battlefield?'

'At this point,' Stella answered honestly,

'I don't see much difference.'

For the first time that morning, everyone smiled.

The heavy atmosphere eased slightly.

Meanwhile, across River City, Noel sat alone inside his office staring at the latest news.

'Chilton Family Strengthens Wedding Security.'

'Exclusive Ceremony Expected This Weekend.'

He remembered the mysterious attack outside the engagement banquet.

Something didn't feel right.

Without hesitation, Noel picked up his phone and called Stella.

'Can we meet?' he asked.

'It's important.'

After a brief pause, Stella agreed.

They met at a quiet café overlooking the river.

The awkward silence between them lasted several moments before Noel finally spoke.

'I'm not here to interfere with your marriage.'

'I know I've already lost that right.'

Stella remained calm.

'Then why did you ask me here?'

Noel reached into his briefcase and placed a thin file on the table.

'Three years ago,' he explained,

'I accidentally came across several financial reports while working on one of the Chilton Group's joint projects.'

'Someone had been secretly transferring millions of dollars through fake companies.'

'I thought it was simple corporate fraud.'

'But after hearing about the recent attacks…'

'I think it's connected.'

Stella opened the file carefully.

Inside were copies of old bank transfers.

One company name immediately caught her attention.

'Phoenix Holdings.'

Her breathing slowed.

'Project Phoenix…'

Noel looked confused.

'You know that name?'

Stella realized she had spoken aloud.

'It's connected to something Eric and I recently discovered.'

'Then give him these documents,' Noel said seriously.

'Whatever happened between us…'

'I don't want anyone getting hurt.'

Stella looked at Noel for several seconds.

For the first time, she saw genuine regret in his eyes.

'Thank you,' she said quietly.

'I'll make sure Eric sees these.'

Back at the Chilton Estate that evening, Eric carefully studied every document Noel had provided.

'These transactions started six years ago,' Mason observed.

'A full year before Amelia disappeared.'

'Exactly,' Eric replied.

'Which means Project Phoenix existed long before any of us realized it.'

He flipped to the final page.

One signature immediately froze his expression.

'Impossible…'

Stella stepped closer.

'What is it?'

Eric pointed toward the document.

'This signature belongs to someone who's been dead for ten years.'

The room fell silent.

If a dead man's signature was still authorizing secret financial operations…

Someone inside the organization had been hiding in plain sight.

Late that night, while everyone prepared final wedding arrangements, a florist's delivery truck quietly stopped outside the estate gates.

Security guards carefully inspected every flower arrangement before allowing them inside.

Everything appeared normal.

Hidden beneath one of the largest white rose displays, however, was a tiny electronic device.

A green light blinked silently.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

Far away, inside an abandoned building overlooking the city, the mysterious old man watched a blinking monitor.

He smiled calmly.

'The invitation has been accepted,' he whispered.

'Tomorrow…'

'The wedding will belong to us.'